OBOL LOPON APPEALS FOR PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS

ACHIANE ADAMS 

The Obol Lopon of Ugep, His Royal Majesty, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng,  has on the occasion of the 2018 Ugep/ Yakurr International New Yam Festival, appealed to the state government to help facilitate peaceful coexistence with its neighbours, especially Adun Community in Obubra Local Government Area of the State.

Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng made the appeal during the 2018 Leboku International New Yam Festival in Ugep recently.

In his address, the Obol Lopon, who welcomed visitors to celebration, recalled how early in the year, the Yakurr nation was enmeshed in crisis with their neighbours,  Adun in Obubra, requesting  Governor Ayade to task the Boundary Adjustment Commission, to delve in and clearly demarcate the boundary line between the two local governments. 

The Royal Father hoped to maintain momentum to allow government implementation, an action,  he believes will bring peace to the age long conundrum. 

Obol Eteng,  who also promised to create an enabling environment for industrialization in Yakurr, appealed for Cross River Broadcasting Corporation's (CRBC) booster station in the area to enable the people view government's programmes.  

He thanked the state government for having faith in Leboku especially the former Governor of the State,  His Excellency, Obol Donald Duke, for internationalising the LEBOKU festival in 2007, when he discovered the tourism potentials that abound in Yakurr Nation as it has gone a long way to open up Yakurr to mind blowing civilization.

" To our sponsor, Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN), Yakurr people are grateful for your continuous support. Since 2007, you have continually supported the festival and empowered the citizens. The Yakurr people say thank you". He concluded.

High points of the event included parade of Leboku maidens/ Cultural troupes from the Yakurr Communities; finals of traditional wrestling contest; cultural performance by Women's Associations; presentation of prizes to winners of Mr & Miss Leboku, Best Yam Harvester, werestling chapions; and presentation of prizes to participating communities.